29 June 2017

News Story: Military - BIFF has no credibility on supposed link with Mautes

By Ana Jacinta Olabre

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday said the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters lack the credibility to say whether they are affiliated with the Maute terrorist group or not.

When asked if the BIFF and Maute group are the same and if they have pledged allegiance to ISIS, Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, AFP spokesperson, said that the BIFF have been issuing opposing statements on the issue.

“At one point, their spokesman is saying that they’re not related to the Mautes. At another point, they’re saying that they’re related to the Mautes and they have done this and done that,” Padilla said during a televised press briefing on Wednesday.

He said that the BIFF has joined forces with the Maute group inside Marawi City, where security forces and terrorists have been locked in combat since May 23.